About this episode
He's the man responsible for starting a NASCAR team that has turned everyone's heads in NASCAR. Today, racer and entrepreneur Justin Marks sits with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mike Davis to discuss the wild journey from a no-name to someone shaking up the industry. Marks' exposure to the sport of auto racing came at an early age, when his grandfather, a fan of motorsports, took him to local dirt tracks in Missouri. From there, his passion grew. Eventually the Marks family moved to California, as his father Michael chased dreams in Silicon Valley. For young Justin, his dreams came in the form of an amateur ride in the SCCA road racing ranks. From amateur to pro, his career started to climb as he found himself having success in IMSA and events like the 24-hours of Daytona. But how did this road racer transition to the NASCAR world? Influences like Boris Said, a cross-over racer, took Marks to North Carolina. It also took him to a basement party at Dale Jr.'s house. Dale Jr. didn't even realize that the future NASCAR team owner was there. From there, his family's success created opportunities in the NASCAR ranks from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, through Xfinity and even the elite Cup Series. Marks admits that he didn't always do things right and revealed what it was like being fired from a ride that he paid for. He did find success in the NASCAR ranks, winning an Xfinity Series race on the windy and wet turns of the Mid-Ohio racing course in 2016 for Chip Ganassi Racing. Ironically, the same team he'd end up purchasing in his breakthrough in the Motorsports business world. Realizing his journey behind the wheel served a selfish need, Marks realized he had a "higher calling." He realized that he wanted to be a mover in the Motorsports industry. He did so by starting a team called "Trackhouse Racing." Trackhouse purchased two charters and longtime NASCAR team Chip Ganassi Racing. A purchase that happened one year before this appearance on The Dale Jr. Download. He admits that the decision was done in a risky order but he knew he needed to make some unorthodox moves to make his dream happen. In a year, a new team has created two first-time winners in the NASCAR Cup Series and has both of its teams in a playoff spot, running up-front each week and stealing headlines? How? Dale Jr admits that he was among the plethora of doubters, that didn't see the rapid success of the first year team coming. The mantra of Marks' approach is rooted in "belief." A philosophy in creating a business and culture that differs from the norm and placing belief in his drivers and employees to produce results. Marks discusses the rise of NASCAR superstar Ross Chastain and how he has ruffled the feathers of some of the sport's biggest names. He opens up about discussions with Ross and with other car owners like Rick Hendrick. He also talks about conversations with Denny Hamlin after a run in with Chastain in St. Louis. Dale Jr. and Mike Davis get the young team owner to open up about his thoughts on the state of the sport and how he sees the business model moving forward with the cost of the Next Gen car and the up-coming television deal that NASCAR will have to make in 2025. How does he view the current Charter system and the potential of new team owners, potentially ones sitting at the table, entering the Charter system? DIRTY AIR presented by FilterTime Before bringing Justin Marks to the table the DJD Gang discuss: The Download live at Ole Red in Nashville. Lightning delays and race start times. The reality that everything is going to streaming. ASK JR presented by Xfinity Hannah Newhouse tees up fan questions about: Dale's rain delays as a driver. Who closed down the bar in Nashville? Fiery Tony Stewart getting physical with Ernie Francis in the SRX race Dale Jr. racing a Late Model at North Wilkesboro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.